Typewriter Talk / Cleaning corrosion

**Posted by robmck** 05-3-2024 10:19:19

Any ideas on cleaning out all this white crusty stuff? (I don't want to use the wrong chemical and make things worse). Not sure of the metallurgy of this part of the frame (is that zinc corrosion, or, ...?) Clearly there's also rust on the margin release arm, too.

My first thought was to dunk it in the ultrasonic cleaner with just water and see what comes off, then give it a second bath with my usual dilution of Aviation Simple Green.

This is a 1939 Hermes Baby.

**Posted by thetypewriterman** 05-3-2024 17:35:36

I am pretty sure that the white stuff is aluminium corrosion - the aluminium equivalent to rust on steel. Obviously your machine has been stored somewhere very damp. I would try to brush it off dry with a brass-bristled brush.

**Posted by Pete E.** 05-3-2024 21:09:53

If those parts turning white originally were galvanized steel, the zinc in the galvanized coating on the steel can oxidize and become what is called "white rust".
.